OBESITY AND CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE

Obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are common, interrelated medical problems in Westernized, industrialized societies. These inter related medical conditions are associated with an increased risk of ca rdiovascular disease and are more prevalent in several minority groups , including African-American and Hispanic populations. The associated cardiovascular risks of these problems are more thoroughly addressed i n another review in this supplement. Obesity markedly enhances the dev elopment of Type 2 diabetes. Moreover, it enhances the cardiovascular risk associated with other risk factors, such as hypertension and dysl ipidemia. Weight reduction in association with an aerobic exercise pro gram improves metabolic abnormalities and reduces blood pressure in in dividuals with diabetes and hypertension.